The Phoenix Suns’ hopes of avoiding the play-in tournament were dependent on their performance against the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night. Although it wasn’t attractive, the Suns were able to complete their task.

The Suns had a unique opportunity to avenge their Tuesday night humiliating loss to the Clippers against a very depleted Los Angeles team. Devin Booker is aware that every game Phoenix plays right now is crucial, even as significant as Wednesday’s was.

“That’s all just games,” Booker remarked. “With the play-in, we’ve been preaching that almost all of these games are playoff contests. It’s going to be intense, and you can be sure that losing will be the worst defeat you’ve ever experienced. It’s a big one if you prevail.

In the absence of Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, James Harden, Russell Westbrook, Ivica Zubac, and Norman Powell, the LA Clippers led the Phoenix Suns for almost the whole game. 

There appeared to be a remote possibility that LA might emerge with an unexpected victory. But the Suns pulled away in the closing minutes of the fourth quarter, and the Clippers were unable to score. Devin Booker gave Phoenix’s defense credit for that.

“Discussing defense,” Booker stated. “Making the floor smaller. extending a hand to the humble man. ensuring that they must prevail in a competition. If you have length at the rim, it’s difficult even if they make those layups. Simply confirming that someone is present to greet them.”

Despite their loss on Wednesday, the LA Clippers should be proud of their effort. Nobody thought a depleted Clippers squad under head coach Bones Hyland could really test a healthy Phoenix Suns club, but they did.